Replacing drivers seat in 240

[Willie Bannister]

I have a 1989 240 4dr. Recent trips to the junkyard seem to indicate
that there are only four bolts that need to be removed to get a
replacement, to the tune of about $40.00, and a small investment in
vacuuming, Odo-Ban, and perhaps one of those lovely cow-print seatcovers

My questions:

1. Did volvo alter the seat design from, say 1984 on? After a hour or
so in the yard, they all look alike....

2. Would a seat from a 740 or other Euro make (Saab) be made to work?

BTW I have a similar question regarding front bumpers...were they any
major design changes from 1984 to 1989. or between wagons and sedans

Any guidance would be appreciated.

Happy New Year!

Willie

 

[James Sweet]

I have a 1989 240 4dr. Recent trips to the junkyard seem to indicate
that there are only four bolts that need to be removed to get a
replacement, to the tune of about $40.00, and a small investment in
vacuuming, Odo-Ban, and perhaps one of those lovely cow-print seatcovers

Yes, only four bolts

My questions:

1. Did volvo alter the seat design from, say 1984 on? After a hour or
so in the yard, they all look alike....

Yes, in '86 the seats were redesigned, also 2-door models will have a
seatback release mechanism, but these were only made up to '85. The seats
are interchangeable but the '86 and later ones are a bit more comfortable to
me.

2. Would a seat from a 740 or other Euro make (Saab) be made to work?

No, the 740 seats are too wide and the wrong height. I'm not sure about Saab
seats but owning both I can say that Volvo seats are a bit more comfy. Your
best bet is to find an '86-'93 240 to get your seats from, they're fairly
common. Also you can mix and match parts, for example get the foam from a
passenger seat and put it in the upholstery and frame from a driver's seat.

BTW I have a similar question regarding front bumpers...were they any
major design changes from 1984 to 1989. or between wagons and sedans

Again, they changed them in '86. They also changed them in '83 on USA models
from the old style aluminum "commando" bumpers to the newer plastic covered
European bumpers. Front bumpers are the same on wagons and sedans, rear
bumpers are slightly different.